Councilwoman's arrest stuns Clifton

By DEENA YELLIN

STAFF WRITERS |

The Record

CLIFTON — Councilwoman Mary Sadrakula faces a charge of aggravated assault for allegedly hitting a female relative Sunday night, but City Council members said they will not review her official standing and that she will likely keep her seat until the courts decide her case.

Throughout the day Monday, city officials and other residents expressed shock and disbelief over news of Sadrakula’s arrest and details of the alleged incident.

Sadrakula, 55, allegedly hit the relative, kicked her in the buttocks and pushed her down, said city police Detective Capt. Robert Rowan. He said the injured woman required treatment at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic for injuries including a fractured nose and tailbone. The woman told police that the alleged assault followed a heated dispute about her weight, authorities said.

“I am speechless,” said the normally talkative Councilman Steve Hatala after he heard the news. “I don’t know what to say.”

Councilman Matt Grabowski added, “It’s a sad day in Clifton that this happened. The city has never seen anything like this. I feel for the family and we have to get the facts before we make any decision.”

The councilwoman’s arraignment will take place this morning in Passaic Municipal Court, where the case was routinely shifted to avoid any potential for conflict of interest.

Police were called to Sadrakula’s Dwasline Road home after receiving a 911 call about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The alleged victim told the officers that Sadrakula had hit and kicked her after an argument. Officers reported that the woman, whom they declined to identify, had scratches on her face and a swollen left check, Rowan said. The woman, who lives with Sadrakula, told officers that the councilwoman had “kicked her ass,” and that “she was upset with me because I’m thin,” Rowan reported.

Police arrested the councilwoman at her home and charged her with aggravated assault. Sadrakula bailed herself out by posting $1,500 early Monday.

Numerous calls to Sadrakula’s cellphone and home were not returned.

City officials said they would have to consult with attorneys to decide on a course of action in regard to Sadrakula’s official status. Under state law, an official can face forfeiture of office if convicted of a crime of the third degree or above. The charge of aggravated assault can be applied in numerous circumstances classified anywhere from first to fourth degree, depending on the severity of an offense. It is punishable upon conviction by varying lengths of prison time.

Steve Goldberg, a longtime friend who worked with Sadrakula several years ago on a campaign to save Latteri Park from development, said he hopes people will not rush to judgment.

“People are innocent until proven guilty. I am certain she will tell her side of the story and she will be vindicated,” he said. “This is a personal family issue and unfortunately, it’s erupted into a public issue.”

Susan Zylbert added that she has known Sadrakula for a long time and has observed how the councilwoman has always rushed to support and help her family.“She is an incredibly family-oriented person,” Zylbert said. “She’s had her sister live with her. She’s had her nephews live with her. She takes care of people. She’s a very special woman. People may have a hard time recognizing it.”

Sadrakula was elected in May 2010 after establishing a reputation as an outspoken gadfly at meetings of various city boards. In discussing the latest incident, many officials and private residents noted her presence as someone who rarely restrains her words.

As a councilwoman, John Salierno, a neighbor, noted, “she is a thorn in everyone’s side because she asks a lot of questions. She may be gruff at times, but everyone has their own personality.”

In recent weeks, Sadrakula has spoken out at public hearings about a “witch hunt” against her by her council colleagues and about hate mail sent to her by opponents.

At most council meetings, her voice can frequently be heard above the others, whether she’s asking difficult questions or making suggestions. Among the first orders of business on her agenda as a councilwoman was a proposal to eliminate council health benefits, one of the few perks awarded to council members. She argued that cutting the perk would save the city money, but the proposal was voted down. She also raised the idea of bringing the non-profit City Green to lease Schultheis Farm, and opposed changes in the rent control ordinance.

Before her election, she urged residents to write the mayor and council to oppose the promotion of a Fire Department captain.

Currently, she is vigorously fighting construction of a temple near her Dwasline Road home and, with other individuals, has founded a residents group that opposes the plan. Because of that public stand, she has come under scrutiny for not leaving the council dais during the appointment of two Board of Adjustment members who subsequently faced reviewing the temple proposal. A judge earlier this month decided that the two new appointees could not hear the temple case because of Sadrakula’s presence on the dais during their appointment.

At the Board of Adjustment hearing last week in which the temple’s case was heard, Sadrakula sat in the front row behind Ira Weiner, the attorney her group hired to fight the temple. She jotted down notes and jumped up every so often to hand them to Weiner during the proceedings.

At a council meeting the night before, she berated a council member for what she described as harassment.

And she announced that she was the victim of hate mail and calls to her place of employment by residents seeking to intimidate her. And it was at a council meeting last month that she denounced what she called a “public witch hunt” being pursued against her by council members she said were aiming to “defame my good name and character.”

Officials expressed confusion over Sadrakula’s accusations.

“Certainly she’s been under a lot of stress,” Councilman Peter Eagler said Monday. “It’s time for everyone to lower their voices and start listening to one another.”

Councilwoman's arrest stuns Clifton

CLIFTON — Councilwoman Mary Sadrakula faces a charge of aggravated assault for allegedly hitting a female relative Sunday night, but City Council members said they will not review her official standing and that she will likely keep her seat until the courts decide her case.

Throughout the day Monday, city officials and other residents expressed shock and disbelief over news of Sadrakula’s arrest and details of the alleged incident.

Sadrakula, 55, allegedly hit the relative, kicked her in the buttocks and pushed her down, said city police Detective Capt. Robert Rowan. He said the injured woman required treatment at St. Mary’s Hospital in Passaic for injuries including a fractured nose and tailbone. The woman told police that the alleged assault followed a heated dispute about her weight, authorities said.

“I am speechless,” said the normally talkative Councilman Steve Hatala after he heard the news. “I don’t know what to say.”

Councilman Matt Grabowski added, “It’s a sad day in Clifton that this happened. The city has never seen anything like this. I feel for the family and we have to get the facts before we make any decision.”

The councilwoman’s arraignment will take place this morning in Passaic Municipal Court, where the case was routinely shifted to avoid any potential for conflict of interest.

Police were called to Sadrakula’s Dwasline Road home after receiving a 911 call about 11:30 p.m. Sunday. The alleged victim told the officers that Sadrakula had hit and kicked her after an argument. Officers reported that the woman, whom they declined to identify, had scratches on her face and a swollen left check, Rowan said. The woman, who lives with Sadrakula, told officers that the councilwoman had “kicked her ass,” and that “she was upset with me because I’m thin,” Rowan reported.

Police arrested the councilwoman at her home and charged her with aggravated assault. Sadrakula bailed herself out by posting $1,500 early Monday.

Numerous calls to Sadrakula’s cellphone and home were not returned.

City officials said they would have to consult with attorneys to decide on a course of action in regard to Sadrakula’s official status. Under state law, an official can face forfeiture of office if convicted of a crime of the third degree or above. The charge of aggravated assault can be applied in numerous circumstances classified anywhere from first to fourth degree, depending on the severity of an offense. It is punishable upon conviction by varying lengths of prison time.

Steve Goldberg, a longtime friend who worked with Sadrakula several years ago on a campaign to save Latteri Park from development, said he hopes people will not rush to judgment.

“People are innocent until proven guilty. I am certain she will tell her side of the story and she will be vindicated,” he said. “This is a personal family issue and unfortunately, it’s erupted into a public issue.”

Susan Zylbert added that she has known Sadrakula for a long time and has observed how the councilwoman has always rushed to support and help her family.“She is an incredibly family-oriented person,” Zylbert said. “She’s had her sister live with her. She’s had her nephews live with her. She takes care of people. She’s a very special woman. People may have a hard time recognizing it.”

Sadrakula was elected in May 2010 after establishing a reputation as an outspoken gadfly at meetings of various city boards. In discussing the latest incident, many officials and private residents noted her presence as someone who rarely restrains her words.

As a councilwoman, John Salierno, a neighbor, noted, “she is a thorn in everyone’s side because she asks a lot of questions. She may be gruff at times, but everyone has their own personality.”

In recent weeks, Sadrakula has spoken out at public hearings about a “witch hunt” against her by her council colleagues and about hate mail sent to her by opponents.

At most council meetings, her voice can frequently be heard above the others, whether she’s asking difficult questions or making suggestions. Among the first orders of business on her agenda as a councilwoman was a proposal to eliminate council health benefits, one of the few perks awarded to council members. She argued that cutting the perk would save the city money, but the proposal was voted down. She also raised the idea of bringing the non-profit City Green to lease Schultheis Farm, and opposed changes in the rent control ordinance.

Before her election, she urged residents to write the mayor and council to oppose the promotion of a Fire Department captain.

Currently, she is vigorously fighting construction of a temple near her Dwasline Road home and, with other individuals, has founded a residents group that opposes the plan. Because of that public stand, she has come under scrutiny for not leaving the council dais during the appointment of two Board of Adjustment members who subsequently faced reviewing the temple proposal. A judge earlier this month decided that the two new appointees could not hear the temple case because of Sadrakula’s presence on the dais during their appointment.

At the Board of Adjustment hearing last week in which the temple’s case was heard, Sadrakula sat in the front row behind Ira Weiner, the attorney her group hired to fight the temple. She jotted down notes and jumped up every so often to hand them to Weiner during the proceedings.

At a council meeting the night before, she berated a council member for what she described as harassment.